Monday, September 20, 2010

Despite Karzai's praise of the 2010 Afghanistan Parliamentary elections, there are serious questions being raised about fairness of the election. Moreover, there is a claim by the UN election authority that around 40% of the Afghanistan voting population voted in the Parliamentary elections, which is a significant increase from the 20% of Afghanis who voted in the 2009 Afghanistan Presidential election. This figure of 40% is hard to believe considering the war-time situation and resurgence of the Taliban, and may well be fabricated by the Karzai governments and its western allies, in order to create a greater sense of government legitimacy and political progress.

Regardless, considering the war-time situation, it is questionable why elections are even being undertaken in Afghanistan. Clearly, if democracy was at the forefront, elections would be postponed until the war had ended. The fact that this is not the case, suggests that the elections are being used by the Karzai government and its western allies to legitimize the US backed government.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Obama administration's foreign excursions against Muslim countries like in Afghanistan and Yemen, using drone attacks, covert operations, full-scale invasions, and the US abuses at Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghrib, and Bagram prisons, has set an example of intolerance for American citizens. The recent threatened Koran burning by American Pastor Terry Jones is reflective of that intolerance. In terms of democracy, the American politicians should be accountable to the same laws as its citizens, rather than have a virtual free reign in their foreign policies and conduct.

Having said that, Obama and his administration would be better off pointing the finger at themselves and their foreign conduct, than condemning the US pastor who has been shown a way of intolerance.

FDA Grade Scale

A+ Exceptional candidate and/or party (overall flawless and original policies and vision, impeccable incumbency record if applicable, exceptional competencies, characteristics, and background) (Grade greater than 84.99% and less than 100.1%)

A Outstanding candidate and/or party (overall very high standard for policies, vision, incumbency record (if applicable), competencies, characteristics, and background) (Grade greater than 79.99% and less than 85%)

B+ Very good candidate and/or party (overall high standard for policies, vision, incumbency record (if applicable), competencies, characteristics, and background) (Grade greater than 74.99% and less than 80%)

C+ Unacceptable candidate and/or party (few deficiencies and/or major deficiencies in some of the following: policies, vision, incumbency record (if applicable), competencies, characteristics, and background) (Grade greater than 64.99% and less than 70%)

C Unacceptable candidate and/or party (several deficiencies and/or major deficiencies in some of the following: policies, vision, incumbency record (if applicable), competencies, characteristics, and background) (Grade greater than 59.99% and less than 65%)

D+ Unacceptable candidate and/or party (a lot of deficiencies and/or major deficiencies in some of the following: policies, vision, incumbency record (if applicable), competencies, characteristics, and background) (Grade greater than 54.99% and less than 60%)

D Unacceptable candidate and/or party (many deficiencies and/or major deficiencies in some of the following: policies, vision, incumbency record (if applicable), competencies, characteristics, and background) (Grade greater than 49.99% and less than 55%)

F Unacceptable candidate and/or party (numerous major deficiencies in most if not all of the following: policies, vision, incumbency record (if applicable), competencies, characteristics, and background) (Grade less than 50%)

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